ONE LADY POPE AND THREE YOUNG POPES

According to Catholic tradition, the Apostolic see of Rome was founded by Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the 1st century. The papacy is one of the most enduring institutions in the world. It certainly holds a significant part in the history of the world.

While going through the long history of Catholic Church we may find the name of a lady among the list of popes. That was "Pope Joan", a young woman who disguised herself as a man and entered into religious training. Thereafter she made herself to a scholar and gradually she  rose through the church ranks and elected  Pope John VIII in the year 855. She ruled the church for more than two years. She could conceal her gender beneath the holy robes.  Her secret was revealed in 858, when she was unexpectedly went into labor during a papal procession. There are also different accounts about her death. One says that she died in  childbirth. Some others claim that the enraged followers dragged her behind a horse and stoned her to death.

When we look for young Popes we can find (1) John XII (955-964) became Pope either at the age of 18 or 25 years old. (2) Gregory V (996-999) came into papacy at the age of 24. (3) Benedict IX (1032-1044, 1045, 1047-48) was first elected as Pope at the age of 20 years)

Advocates of married clergy today claim that there were as many as 39 married popes. However, the paucity of evidence offered does not always back this claim up. The great majority of 266 popes were single and good men, and some quite saintly.

Contrary to these remaining as historical facts the church seems to have made futile attempts to hide these from the new generation. It would be preferable to include these in the Catechism syllabus so that the members of the Church shall remain adequately informed. The priesthood need not have any apprehension in this. History is like bright sun; no one cover the sunlight everywhere. In this modern times of highly advanced information technology these facts cannot be kept in the dark for ever. By hiding these, if someone is trying to protect Jesus Christ, poor church goers may feel pity on the hierarchy of the system.

(Indebted to (i) Gregory Elder of Redland Daily Facts. He was a professor and a former Episcopal priest. In 2006, he became the first married Roman Catholic priest in the San Bernardino Diocese. (ii) Frank J Coppa, Professor of History, St Johns University of New York (iii) Article by Evan Andrews titled - Who was Pope Joan?)

KV George

kvgeorgein@gmail.com